Grinding and separating apparatus



Aug. 16, 1927.

P. L. cRowE GRINDING AND SEPARATING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 20, 1925 2 oals-shut 1 v 1,639,214 1927' P. L. CROWE GRINDING AND SEPARATING APPARATUS Filed 00b. '20, 1925' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fg' .J. 6 1 .6

v J ggai J7 Patented Aug. 16, 1927.

STATES UNITED 1,639,214 PATENT OFFICE. Y

'PAU L Il- CBOWE, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

xoa'mnme AND sErAaA'rmG ArrAnA'rus.

Application filed Octoberflt), 1925. Serial No. 63,742.

This invention relates to mills for grinding andseparating materials, and has particular reference to amill'for grinding and separating ores, coal and similar materials. 7 The primary object of the present invention is to provide a. particularly simple and hignly efiicient form of apparatus for grinding materials and simultaneously efi'ectin a separation of the lighter or finely divi ed particles from the heavier or larger particles.

v grinding members to effect the aforementioned separation.

A further object is .to provide an apparatus of the aforesaid character which shall be simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and which shall be highly eflicient in operation. 1

With these and other objects in view, the invention may be stated to consist in the various novel features of construction and ar- 0 rangement or' combination, all of which will be fully desciibed hereinafter and pointed out in the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings, I have shown certain illustrative embodiments ofmy invention, but without intent to limit myself, except as set forth-in the appended claims, longitudinal sectional view Fig. 1s a through a crushing and separating apparatusconstructed in accordance with my in-' vention; Fig. 1 is a fragmentar longitudi- -nal sectional view showing a slig tion; j Fig. 2 is a'vertical sectional view taken on the line 2&2 of' Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the apparatus'; Fig. 4 is a lon portion ofa'mo ified form of apparatus; 5 Figs. 5', G'and' 7 are transverse vertical sectional views each illustrating a jstill further modification;

Fig. 8 is a'side'elevation of a crusher plate such as used in the modification shown in Fi ."7' ,-T'.

- Figsifland 10, are, respectively, side and wherein t modifica- 'tudinal sectional view of a end elevations of a modified form of crusher plate;

Figs. 11 and 12 are, respectively, fragmentary vertical sectional and top plan views of a modified form of grinding ring; Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional 'ew of a further modified form of grinding ring; and Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line Mr-14 of Fig. 1. v

Describing the various parts by reference characters, and referring particularly to Figs. 1-3, inclusive, l denotes a suitable base, from which rise end walls 2 and 3, and a partition plate 5, the latter extending longitudi' 1 the base and substantially midway Extending longitudinally nally of of the end walls. throughthe end walls is a tubular shaft 6 Which'is formed with radially disposed ribs 7 that are adapted tovreceive and support a plurality of grinding rings 8 to be referred to hereinafter.

6 One end of hollow shaft 6 projects through bearing end plate 3 and is journalled in a cap 9, having oppositely projecting in s 10 which are secured to said end plate by olts 1101' other suitable fastening means. The opposite 'endof hollow shaft 6 projects through end plate 2 and diverges radially to form a circular plate 12. This plate carries a series of vanes 14 curved in one direct1on on one side thereof, and a second seriesof vanes 15, curved in an opposite direction,

on the opposite side thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 14. A housing 16 encloses the fan member and an extension 17 thereof is journalled in an anti-friction bearing 18, which is carried by end plate 2i- A- drive pulley 19 is formed on'the housing 16 so that power from an suitable source may be connected therewit j I Mounted on the aforementioned ribs'7 are .a plurality of the grinding rings '8, each placed in close contact with an ad acent ring to define a grinding cylinder and this cylinder and hollowshaft 6 form what might be termed a double hollow shaft. Each of the 7, and also with a plurality of apertures 21', the latter being preferably formed with a narrow or restricted .wardly diverging outer and inner, end porltions, as shown in Fig. 1. The shape of these apertures permits ground material to readily enter and leave without the danger of clogging, and the restricted central porrings 8 may be circular in shape and is provided with suitable notches 20 to receiveribs central portion and outtion limits the size of material passing therethrough.

In Fig. 13, I have shown a modified form of grinding ring 8 wherein the aperture 21 are substantially frusto-conical in shape and it will be understood that rings of this character, or similar to that shown in Figs. 11 and 12 and to be described hereinafter might be used equally well.

Disposed about the grinding rings are a pair of feeding and crushing plates 25 and 26, each pivoted adjacent its upper end to the end walls 2 and 3 by bolts 27 or other suitable fastening means. Plate 25 is arcuate in cross section, as shown in Fig. 2 and is formed with end walls 28. The lower edge ofthis plate is preferably extended inwardly to a point adjacent the grinding rings or cylinder, and a wear plate 29 is fastened to the concave side thereof. Crusher plate 26 l is formed with a downwardly curved side wall 30, which terminates in an upwardly curved end portion that extends in close proximity to the grinding rings. A wear plate 31 is also fitted thereto, as shown in Fig. 2. Plate 26 is also formed with. a second side wall 32 which extends from'the upper inner edge in close proximity to the grinding rings, thence downwardly and outwardly therefrom, and this wall is also provided with a wear plate 33 on the surface adjacent the grinding rings. End walls 34. and the aforementioned side walls 30 and 82 define a feed hopper forfeeding material to the grinding rings.

In order to assist the plates 25 and 26 in feeding the material to the grinding rings, I provide means for oscillating said plates during operation of the apparatus. A cam 36 is mounted on the aforementioned ribs 7 between a pair of grinding rings 8 and this cam engages a shoe 37, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It will be noted in this connection that the lower edge portion of 'each of plates 25 and 26 is slotted as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 to allow the cam to rotate freely and without engagement therewith. Pivotally connected with shoe 3'7 and extending in opposite directions, are a pair of arms 38, each of which extends through :1 lug 39 formed on wear plates 25 and 26. A coil spring 40 is applied to the outer end of each of these arms, and a nut 41 screwed thereon serves to regulate the tension of the spring.

In practice, I preferably magnetize the grinding rings 8 so that these rings Wlll serve to separate iron and steel and similar particles from the materials being ground. The material to be ground is dumped into the top of the apparatus and will be fed downwardly through the hopper defined by side walls 30 and 32 of plate 26, and alsoby the side wall 29 of plate 25. It will be assumed that power will be applied to pulley 19 to rotate shaft 6 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2. Rotation of casing 16 with fan blades 1i and 15 will also rotate grinding rings 8, and these rings in connection with the lower end portions of plates 29 and 31 will effect a crushing and grind ing action on the material. Meanwhile, fan blades 14 will create a suction through the longitudinal passages defined by ribs 7, and thereby pull the finely divided or ground material through apertures 21 and into fan casing 16. The fan blades 15, being curved in an opposite direction to blades 14, receive the finely divided material and force it to the center of rotation thereof and thence through shaft 6 where it may be conveyed to any desired point. The rotation of grinding rings 8 and cam 36 serve to oscillate plates 25 and 26 about their pivot points 27, and the provision of the yielding connection between arms 38 and the aforementioned plates permits the larger particles'of unground material to passbetween the plates and the rings and be deposited on the righthand side of partition plate 5, as viewed in Fig. 2. Any impurities, such as iron or steel scrap will adhere to the magnetized grinding rings 8 and will be carried beyond the partition plate 5, whereupon they will drop by gravity to the lefthand side ofsaid partition, as they start upwardly.

As a modified driving means for the apparatus, I have indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1 a series of pole pieces 42 formed on the periphery of the fan casing 16, or on the face thereof, or on both surfaces so that said casing may be either the field or the armature of a motor which surrounds the fan casing. In connection with this type of drive I also connect a small generator 12 to the fan casing so as to be rotatable therewith. This generator may serve as an exciter for the field of the driving motor, or the outputthereof may be used as part of the current required for driving the motor and. thus lessen the current normally drawn from the line.

In Fig. 1" I have shown a slightly modified form of construction wherein the tubular shaft 6- is formed with an annular collar 6 that is provided with a plurality of apertures 6. A ball bearing assembly. 6 is carried by collar 6" and abuts against rings 8. Enclosing the bearing structure is a cap 9 which is fastened by screws 11 to end wall 3, and this cap is provided with a plate 9 which is formed with apertures (not shown) that are adapted to align with apertures 6 upon rotation thereof. With this arrangement I am enabled to either shut off the air supply through apertures 6 or regulate such air supply to any desired degree. In other respects the apparatus is similar to that shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 4, I have shown a modified form apertures in lugs 45 'ble the capacity of apparatus which consists of a centrally disposed fan casing'16, from each side of which projects a hollow shaft 6. These shafts are provided with longitudinally disposed ribs 7 that are adapted each to receive a plurality of grinding rings and a cam,

as above described in connection with Fig.

1.. This form of apparatus will have douof the device shown in Fig. 1, and the operation thereof will be similar to that previously described.

In. Fig. 5, Ihave shown a modified arrangement for connecting the lower ends of the plates and 26. In this instance, a bar 43 is fastened rigidly to partition plate 5 by nuts 44 or other suitable fastening means. Bar 43 extends through enlarged which depend from the/ lower ends or plates 25 and 26. A nut 46 is applied to each end of bar 43, and 'a spring 47 is interposed between said nut and the lugs to provide a yielding connection between the bar and plat-es. In this form of apparatus, the aforementioned cam 36 hasbeen dispensed with and the tension of springs 47 is depended on 'to exert the neces sary pressure on the material being ground by the rings and ends of the plates. In

other respects, the apparatus is identical with that shown in-Fig. 1.

In Fig. 6, I'have'shown a further "modification of the crushing plates. In this form, a pair of crushing plates 50 areeach pivoted to end walls 2 These plates .are each .provided with a series of crushing rollers 51, journalled between the endwalls 52 of said plates. As shown in Fig. 6, the upper of these rollers is spaced a greater distance from the grinding rings 8 than the intermediate and lower rollers. This arrangement permits the material to 'be partially ground or crushed by the upper rol ers and progressively ground finer as it passes the intermediate and lower rollers. A yielding connection between the plates 50 maybe employed similar to that described in connection with Fig. 5,'or, if desired, a connection similar to that shown in Fig. Lmay be.,used.

In Fig. 7, I have shown a still fiirther modification wherein I provide a pair of downwardly converging side plates 53, each of which is pivoted at 54 to the end walls.- Thelower end' portions of these plates are disposed in close proximity to the grinding rings 8, thereby to effect a crushing or grinding of the material passing therebetween. In order to partially grind the material before" it reaches these points, I prefarrange a pair of rollers 55 there- .These rollers extend between the said plates 2" of the a paratus and are spaced somewhat from e grinding rings 8. The lower ends of plates 43 are shown' yieldingly connected similar to that .dis-

closed connection with Fig. 5, but it will be understood that a yielding connection,

similar to that employed in the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 might be used equally well. In connection with Fig. 7, I wish also to point out that plates .53 are each identical in construction and are also reversible. end portion of these plates is provided with a wear surface 56 on each side thereof, and each corner of these plates is formed with a spherical projection 57 bores arranged at right angles to each other. One of these bores is adapted to receive p vot bolt 54, while the other is adapted to receive the bar 43. In Figs. 9 and 10, I have shown Each Each' spherical projection is provided with two a modified form of crushing plate 60, which 63 projects from the central portion connected, similar to the forms previously I referred to.

In Figs. modified form of grinding ring, wherein the outer peripheral surface of eac ring is formed with a plurality of tangentially extending teeth or projections 65. .Intermediate each tooth or projection, I provide a plurality of tapered apertures 66, which are preferably arranged with their smaller ends at the outer periphery of the ring. These rings may various forms of apparatus previously described.

From the foregoing description, it will be obvious that I have provided an exceedingly simple and easily constructed grind ing and separating machine, wherein the finely divided material is withdrawn at one point and the purities are each at different points.

.What I claim is y I 1. An apparatus of the character. set forth comprising a base, a grinding cylinder journalled on said base' and having a plural-i ty of apertures therein, a crusher plate disposed in operative relation to said cylinder, means -for yieldingly urging said crusher plate toward said cylinder and means for creating an air draft through the apertures in said cylinder to withdraw the finely divided material therethrough.

2. An apparatus of the character set forth comprising a base, a grinding cylinder journalled on said base and having a plurality of apertures therein, a pair of crusher plates disposed in operative relation to said cylinder, means for yieldingly urging said plates 11 and 12, I have shown a be used with any of the I coarser materials and imseparated and discharged toward said cylinder, and means for creating an air dral't through the apertures in said cylinder to withdraw the finely divided material therethrough.

3. An apparatus of the character set forth comprising a base, a grinding cylinder jourallcd (u said base, said cylinder being composed of a plurality of rings each having a, plurality of apertures therein, a pair of crusher plates disposed in operative relation to said cylinder, means for yieldingly urging said plates toward said cylinder, and means for creating an air draft through said apertures to withdraw the finely divided material therzthrough.

'- 4. An apparatus of the character set forth comprising a base, a grinding cylinder journalled on said base and provided with a plurality of apertures, said cylinder being magnetized to attract iron and steel impurities, a partition plate rising from said base and disposed in close proximity to the lower surface of said cylinder, a pair of crusher plates disposed iu:operati\'e relation to said cylinder, means for yieldingly adjusting said plates toward said cylinder, and means for creating an air draft through the apertures in said cylinder to withdraw the finely divided material therefrom.

5. An apparatus of the character set forth comprising a base, a grinding cylinder journailed on said base and having a plurality of apertures therein, a tubular shaft projecting through said cylinder, a pair of crusher plates disposed in operative rela tion to said cylinder. and means for creating an air draft through the apertures in said cylinder and through said tubular shaft.

6. An apparatus of the character set forth comprising a base, a grinding cylinder journalled on said base and having a plurality of apertures therein, a tubular shaft projecting through said cylinder and having the walls thereof spaced from the Walls of Said cylinder, apair of crusher plates disposed in operative relation to said cylinder, means for creating an air draft through the apertures in said cylinder to withdraw the finely divided material therethrough,.and means for directing said material through said tubular shaft.

7 An apparatus of the character set forth comprising a base. a grinding cylinder journallcd r-nsaid base and having a plurality of apertures therein. a tubular shaft projecting through said cylinder and having the walls thereof spaced from the Walls of said cylinder, a pair of crusher plates disposed in operative relation to said cylinder, perative means for yieldingly adjusting said plates toward said cylinder. a partition plate rising from said base to a point adjacentsaid cylinder, means for creating an air draft through the apertures in said cylinder to withdraw the finely divided material therethrough, and means for direct ing said material through said tubular shaft.

S. An apparatus of the character set forth comprising a base, a grinding cylinder jour-' nalled on said base, said cylinder bemg composed of a plurality of rings, each having a plurality of apertures therein, a tubular shaft pro1ect1ng through said cylinder and havin a luralit of radially dis )osed vanes engaging said rings, and defining passages, means for creating an air draft through said passages and apertures to withdraw finely divided material therethrough, and means -and passages to withdraw the finely divided material thercthrough.

ltl/An apparatus of the character set forth comprising a base, a grinding cylinder journalled on said base, said cylinder being composed of a plurality of rings, each having a plurality of apertures therein, a hollow shaft projecting through said cylinder and having a plurality of radially disposed vanes engaging said rings and defining passages, a fan carried by said shaft and adapted to create an air draft through said apertures and passages to withdraw the finely divided material therethrough, and a second fan carried by said shaft and adapted to direct said material through said hollow shaft.

11. An apparatus of the character set forth comprising a base, a grinding cylinder journalled on said base, a cam carried by said cylinder, a pair of crusher plates disposed in operative relation to said cylinder, a yielding connection between said plates, means carried by said connection and en gaged with said cam to oscillate said plates, and means for rotating said cylinder.

12. An apparatus of the character set forth comprising a base, a grinding cylinder journalled on said base, said cylinder being composed of a plurality of rings each having a plurality of apertures therein, a tubular shaft projecting through said cylinder and having a plurality of radially disposed vanes engaging said rings and defining passages, a cam ring carried by said vanes, a pair of pivotally mounted crusher plates disposed in operative relation to said cylinder, a yielding connection between said plates, a shoe carried by said connection and engaged with said cam, a fan carried by said shaft and adapted to create an air draft through said journa-lled on said base, a pair of crusher plates disposed in operative relation to said cylinder, each of said plates being provided with aplnrality of rollers disposed at variable radii with respectto the center of said cylinder, and means yieldingly connecting said plates andnormally urging the same toward said cylinder. V

14. In an apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a double hollow shaft, grinding elements associated with the outer of said shafts, said outer shaft being provided with a plurality of apertures, crushing plates disposed about said hollow shafts, means for yieldingly urging'said plates toward said grinding elements, and.

pneumatic means for directing the ground material through the inner of said hollow shafts.

15. In an apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a double hollow shaft, grinding means associated with the outer of said hollow shafts, said outer shaft being provided with a plurality of apertures, crusher plates disposed about said hollow shafts and having a' portion'thereof disposed in close proximity to said grindin means, and means for yieldingly urging said plates toward said grinding means;

16. In an ap arat-us of the character set forth, the com ination of a double hollow. shaft, grinding means associated with the outer of said hollow shafts, said outer shaft being provided with a plurality of apertures, and a pair of crusher plates disposed about said hollow shafts, each of said crusher .plates having rollers disposed at variable distances from saidgrinding means.

'In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

PAUL L. CROWE. 

